Author Bio:
Vicky has been married forever to the one person who accepts that she lives in a fantasy world most of the time. She’s even been seen at the beach building worlds for her stories. In addition to creating fun characters, fantasy worlds, and suspenseful situations, she also enjoys and is very good at things like writing policy and procedures manuals and setting up continuity and organizational spreadsheets, both of which she has actually earned money doing. She has a master’s degree in library science so likes things organized. Okay, so her family thinks having the spice rack alphabetized it a bit much, but she has no trouble finding what she needs when she needs it. And just because her extensive library is cataloged and organized, that doesn’t mean she’s obsessive. Honest. When not writing, Vicky can be found in the kitchen whipping up gluten-free, lactose-free, other allergy-free meals. Or watching the world go by from her front porch swing.
What inspires you to write?
Everything. But mostly other writers. Their stories. Their adventures that they lead me on through their imaginations. The tales they tell that take me to other places and times.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm a middle-of-the-road person when it comes to plotting or not. Basically, I have a character in mind and I "interview" him or her and get the basics of their story. Like a reporter, I get the who/what/where/when/how/why/etc. down. The longer the book, the longer the interview–up to a dozen pages or more. But it's just the bare bones of the story, though I know where I'm going, what's going to happen. From there, I start fleshing things out and build on that.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Of course! My characters take on aspects of many people I know–both good and bad. And they take on lives of their own. Sometimes, when I'm writing, I want my story to go a certain way, but the character wants it another way. I've found it just makes more sense to do what they want. Works out better for everyone that way.
Who are your favorite authors?
Karen Rose Smith (cozy mysteries); Misty Simon (more cozies); Anne McCaffrey (science/fantasy); Rick Riordan (yes, a YA author – love his books!) and way too many more to mention.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I've done both — publishers and self — and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Having a publisher means you don't have to pay out for edits, book covers, get formatting done, etc. The technical part of getting published is done for you. But you don't get much money that way. Self-publishing means you control everything–which takes time and money–but you also get more in royalties than you do with a publisher. So it depends on what I'm looking for at the time.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think there's always going to be a desire for print books. I don't see that going away, but ebooks and audio are also going to be strong. And there's room for it all.
What genres do you write?
futuristic romance, fantasy, paranormal romance, and non-fiction
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print
Website(s)
Vicky Burkholder Home Page Link
Follow Vicky Burkholder On Amazon
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
